Is this considered Dr, shopping?

I have been in pain management for 15 yrs. My 1st doc I was with for many years, then his practice closed and I seen 2 other ones briefly, and then my last doc dumped me due to insurance issues. I was with him for 6 yrs. When I was dumped I got no referral nothing. I was hoping to find a new doc quick but could not find anyone that accepted my insurance. (state Insurance) Most specialist are dumping it.Because I could noty find a dr., my primary doc bridged for me but not the medicine I was on at all. Then I found what I thought was going to be a great doc. I am so unhappy with him.For at least 10 years I have been on 120 mg of methadone per day and 30 mg of oxycodone 1 @ 3-4xpday. Because the dr of 6 yrs. justs dumped me , my pcp did not yet have my records from him so he would not write me anything at all. I had to go to the ER a couple times that was just a couple day relief. and I was in so much pain not to count the withdrawal symptoms. I even went to a methadone clinic for help but was turned away because I am not abusing drugs. I know that. So when I finally found the dr Im with now I first thought he was going to be awesome., He was nice but did not give the time to listen to me, He just wrote me 20mg methadone a day and percocet 7.5 1@4xpday. and scheduled a lumbar injection. OK Thought well maybe this will help.I had the lumbar injection and I ended up bedridden for many of the days in the month with severe migraines and I am now having severe sciatic nerve pain. I need my cane every morning, and have called out of work to the point of maybe gettign fired. I told him this on the last visit and told him the meds are not helping me. The percs make me sick so i dont take them . I know oxycodone is the same but I think the acemidiphin messes me up not to count that my SGOT level increases that was why I had the oxys.He did not want to even discuss the possibilty to incrrease my meds to at least make me comfortable., but scheduled yet another procedure. An epidural this time and I do not want to have it as the last one I had from another dr gave me the worst spinal migraines and it did not help me at all, I am concerned because I have an appt with a new pain dr for another opinion. I intend to provide all my records along with a copy of my prescriptions from my pharmacy who I been with for 20 yrs. I am suffering needlessly and just want to live again. I am a single mom on partial disablility who is trying to provide for her family . I cant do that in this much pain. I have fibromyalgia,Interstitial cystitis, spinal arthritis,neuropothy, severe migraines ,Restless leg syndrome etc . I just want to make sure that I do not break any rules as I have always been honest. Can I go to another doctor? If I like the new doctor I do not intend to continue the one I have now. I appreciate any advise. Thanks so much. forgive me of the long post.

Responses (6)

doc shopping is a serious thing, but what you are describing is NOT that at all. you are only seeing one doctor and getting your prescriptions from one doctor at a time. making an appointment because the doctor you are with now is once again NOT doc shopping, you are getting a second opinion because you are not getting the treatment needed your not being taken seriously and with your history and documentation their should be no problem. I personally have been injured for over 10yrs and have been to 5 pain managment doctors until i found one that listened to me and gave me what i needed. he did the proper tests i also had epidural injections and they have no effect on me whatsoever. it took me 9 yrs but if found the perfect doctor, she is great i gave her my medical files, prescription history, tests, everything, and my first visit from her she asked me what i wanted. i told her 120mg methadone/100mg norco/90mg valium/30mg dalmaine. she got out her book and wrote me a script.

it takes time and vigilance to find the doctor who knows how to look at records interpret them if needed take additional testing, i just got lucky. but their are doctors out there that will listen you just have to be vigilant. i wish you all the best of luck just don't be timid stand your ground and if you have to goto a hundred doctors then you do it because this is your life not theirs. i hope this was helpful, a friend if needed amber

Hi Amber., Thanks so much. I hope my appoinment goes well , I have to travel far away about a hour drive so Im hoping it will be worth it. If I do like them and they can help me, then I am going to cancel my appointments with the current doc. I actually really dont want to go back there at all. I dont want to put this guy down cuz I am sure he has helped many others., but I dont like the fact of a dr not taking enough time to listen. whatever happened to what is best for the patient? What is working better then what is better or easier for the doctor. I think its not always the drs fault cuz of the laws and the dea etc. Yes they are certainly needed., but because of a few bad apples it hurts us who is sincere in need of help and is denied the adeqate relief. Its so sad that many of us are suffering needlessly .,Anyways, I hope you stay well and God Bless You!! Love and hugs...

the drive is worth it espcially if it helps trust me, i used to do the same thing. i hope all goes well in your life please keep me updated i would like to make sure all goes well, ill friend you if you want to email private. your friend amber

I would not consider this doctor shopping, only seeking a second opinion and under the circumstances I would too. You have a substantial history that needs to be evaluated carefully. Taking as much information including prescrition history from the pharmacy is critical. You are advocating for yourself and that is admirable, keep up the good fight and keep us posted.

You are describing all of my pain! I just quit my Pain mgmnt doctor & had my primary doctor refer me to another Pain doctor not associated with a Pain mgmnt Clinic. It seems the Feds at least in Illionois have scared the bejesus out of them, & since they are a group of rotating (5, one a day Mon. thru Fri)anesteiologists, they have the same code if you will for ALL their doctors. The only pain med I was allowed to be on was Methadone. I was offered MS Contin, but since I had an allergic reaction to Emdeda the night before, I said NO! When I told this story to my primary & my new pain doc, they were shocked! My primary doctor is also my allergist, & he said "what are they trying to do kill you"? He got one the phone immediately until he found a doctor who would write me a script for hydrocodone. My primary couldn't because of these new Federal rules.

Even had to sign a contract there & take a urine test for my Xanax script which I have been taking since 1994. It's getting tough out there. My husband said he saw on ABC news last night where Vicodin is abused more in the US than any where else in the world, & they are going to put a stop on it. Well, guess who that effects? Right! We the chrontic pain people who need these meds. My new pain doc told me the Clinic could have written it for me, they just didn't want too. Great.huh? Now to your question; if one shot in your spine of which both are called epidurals, didn't help why inthe world would they try it again? Especially with the results you got. Are you sure about the first shot? Maybe you got a trigger point injection. Same thing, different spot. The epidural goes between the veretebrae into the spinal canal. It helps some people, but not all. If you got a horrible migraine I believe you got an epideral the first time. I personally would not suggest another. If you have another appt. with a new doctor, I would call & make up an excuse that you cannot make your appt. Don't close that door completely until you sew the new doctor. You may not like him either. That said, there are lots of different meds for the type of pain you are in. I take Lyrica, some can some can't. Nerurotin or gabepentin is the generic, or Cymbalta is another one. They all help with nerve pain. I personally hated the way Methadone made me feel. I was always falling alseep even at red traffic lights! Very scarey indeed. It didn't really help with my pain, I just didn't care, Horrible stuff. I certainly wish you all the best < & hope your luck is better than mine has been with new doctors. I think I have however found one that is willing to work withme, & understands my level of pain. The best of luck to you, & don't consider this doctor shopping at all. That's more about people going to different doctors to get more pain scripts than just one doctor will give them. You are just asking for help & consideration. Good luck from someone that's been there. I just added you as a friend. Just click on my big red head & a box will come up if you want to talk privayely. It will ask you if you want to ask a private question...

Thanks for your support. a month ago the doctor gave me a lumbar block . That was the worst procedure I ever had. It was about 6 huge needles in my spine., and it was soooo painful I was about to cry. Not the injection itself, but the medcine going in. That I feel had flared up the sciatic nerve pain that I had a few yrs ago., but it with a vengence, Methadone does help me a lot. I like the long acting medicine so that Im not popping pills evry 4 or 6 yrs. 20 mg a day is just not helping esp when I was on 120 mg a day. I dont want that much again as I think if I have 20 mg 3xpday that would help me so much, and I done even need the break through meds as much., sometimes but I can deal without them. I cant even take the percocets as they mess up my stomach., I dont know why but oxycodone is ok as long as there is no tylenol in it.I worry about my liver. If I do like this new doctor I am going to cancel all appoinments with the doctor Im with now. Also I am paying out of pocket for insurance and the procedures I dont think are covered . I have been doing great with just meds., but I also do other things that can help me like water therapy, chiropractor when I can afford her, exercise and I see a therapist. I worry so much about going to a new doctor cuz if he is willing to give me the adeqate medicine I dont want to do anything wrong. I am going to my pharmacist for a full print out from the past year so they will know what I am on now and what I had in the past. I did already have epidurals that hurt me from a dr that is horrible. He shouldnt be in practice cuz he would not give you your meds if U would not do the injectiions. He did way to many too. I am terrified of them now and dont want to do them anymore. This doc I am with now wants to do surgery, I said NO I have had enough in my life and Noone is going to cut my spine. When I 1st got sick I had a hysterectomy and the dr punctured my bladder 8xs and 4-got to sew a blood vessel back in my stomach and I hemmorragged severly. My stomach looked like I was 9 months pregnant. I had to use a catheter for 3 weeks and when my urologist was reading the report her head was going back and forth with disbelief. 8xs??? The report said incendently lol. Darn I wish I wasnt so nieve then as I could have sued on the injury alone. Thats how I got IC ( bladder disease) Its so bad again. Very painful. Like a constant bladder infection but it not an infection but its 100 times worst. Anyways like I say I am just trying to live a normal life as best as I can and now I cant until someone helps me get this pain back in control. God Bless You sweetheart. I wish you well also. Love and hugs...

Hi Retta122 - if you do indeed go with the new doctor, make sure you contact your old doctor to rescind the agreement you had with him - tell him you will be going to another doctor and you want to be clear of the agreement with him, if indeed you signed one. Many pain management docs require the patient to sign a contract stating that they will only get pain meds from them, use only one pharmacy, stating that provider's policy on unannounced urine checks, etc. You want to be SURE you are clear of this agreement before you get any prescriptions from the new doctor. Better yet - put it in writing and give a copy to the old doctor AND the new doctor, that way everything is clear. Then you most certainly are not doctor shopping - you have just gotten a second opinion and decided to go with the newer provider. Nothing wrong with that.

Hello Retta122:I do not believe this is what can be identified as doctor shopping, you want the best care and not under the easiest of circumstances, Once you see this new doctor if you feel comfort with him and see it's going to work then a letter directly to the old doctor cutting all ties with him, and also a copy of the letter to the new doctor as Eliza Jane said then you have covered both, the more documentation you have the better, allergies, past medicines taken what does work what doesn't, how long your pain has been out of control, the more information you have the better you are able to clarify things with the new doctor, explain about the spinal injections given, a copy of things from your pharmacy is also good, I wish you the very best, it's difficult and to have the pain it does not help to have the additional problems. you are in my thought and best wishes,

Hi im sorry your have this problem. I don't think that shopping.if your furtting you have the right to do what ever it takes to curb the pain. If your like me if you can get the pain down to a level. That you can live with then you'll be happy. I've been going to a doc for 10 years. Because I left hem he's telling lies.in outher words it your pain do what u have to as long as it legal. I hope this helped you.